Martin Truex Jr. started on the pole for the Sprint Showdown but Jamie McMurray stormed to the front of the field to lead the first of two segments and that is exactly how they finished the segment.

In between the first twenty lap segment and the second teams were allowed to make pitstops. While most cars opted to pit Casey Mears was one exception. It took only moments before McMurray passed him and with three laps into the second segment he was passed by a four additional cars.